Warfarin (Coumadin) is a medicine that helps keep your blood from clotting. This may be important if you have already had blood clots, or if your doctor is worried that you may form a blood clot.
Below are some questions you may want to ask your doctor or nurse to help you when you take warfarin.
Why am I taking warfarin?
What will be changed for me?
How should I take warfarin?
Can I still take acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)? What about other pain medicines? How about cold medicines? What should I do if a doctor gives me a new prescription?
Do I need to make any changes in what I eat or drink? Can I drink alcohol?
Are there changes I should make around the home?
What should I do if I fall?
What are the signs or symptoms that I may be bleeding somewhere in my body?
Do I need any blood tests? Where do I get them? How often?
Warfarin - what to ask your doctor; Coumadin - what to ask your doctor; What to ask your doctor about taking warfarin (Coumadin)
Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.
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